Page 48 of Forsaken Desire
He retreated, putting his hands up. I stood so quickly that the chair clattered to the floor. Gazes followed the loud bang, but I had tunnel vision. I strode across the shit color of the carpet they’d rolled over the intricate tile I’d selected for the ballroom.
I didn’t give a fuck who she’d killed. Or what she had done.
Since she’d disappeared, I’d stopped caring.
I took over from my father, Henry, as soon as I turned eighteen, and more and more responsibility was hefted on me while he dwindled and sank into alcohol. He’d never been present with Elain, and sometimes I doubted he even liked her, but his issues weren’t my problem. But her causing Josephineany pain would mean instant death. Only because she’d birthed me did I allow her a single warning.
I combed my hair back from my forehead. That other bitch, Cierra, likely felt powerful because I had yet to fully reprimand her, but I had a perfect plan for her.
They would all see this coming Blood Moon what I would do to those who harmed my mate.
18
Islipped into the wedge between the columns, slumping against the cold surface. What had I done? Dread formed a ball in my stomach. I dropped my face into my palms, shakily breathing warm air into my palms.
The look in their eyes wouldn’t leave my mind. All they did was confirm what I believed about myself. I was a monster.
My mate got the short end of the stick with me. Tears welled and slipped through my scrunched eyelids.
I rubbed the spot over my sternum, but the pressure did nothing to assuage the agony. If I rejected my mate for his own good . . .
“Josephine?” The shout was sharp and abrupt. I jerked against the column, smacking my shoulder into the stone. I winced and squeezed my arm. Peeking around the column only caught his attention. Although he was multiple yards away, his long stride would eat up the ground.
I took a deep breath, lifted my chin, and stepped into the hall. I wasn’t a coward. He was too far away for me to meet his gaze.
“Not right now,” I raised my voice. “I need to be alone.” He didn’t slow. Shit, hewouldn’tslow either. The single-minded pace and that determined look on his face told me as much.
My pulse jumped, and I took a step back. He would come at me, overwhelming me with his presence, and mess with my head before I worked through what was right or wrong.
His steps thundered louder and louder.
Thud.Dunk.Thud.Dunk.
Each of his strides echoed closer and closer. My heart rate elevated.
A band wound tight around my lungs, squeezing. I took another step back. I’d fall for his comfort. Unless . . . Was he upset he’d found out like this? Panic settled in, and I turned, the bottom of the dress grazing against my skin. With each step away from him, his sounded closer and closer.
I picked up my pace, almost huffing from exertion.
“Josephine.” His grip on my elbow forced me to slow, and he corralled me back, his wide chest taking all of my vision. “Why are you running from me?” He brushed my hair behind my ear.
The hard surface of the column pressed against my spine, and I shoved myself away with more force so it could dig into my skin to the point of pain.
“I understand if you want . . . If you’ve changed your mind about me. I’ll accept your rejection. At least you’ll have a chance of a second-chance mate?—”
He pressed his body against mine so forcefully he stole my breath. He grabbed my chin. I gawked up at him and his upper lip was curved up in a snarl. Every inch of his body overwhelmed mine. My breathing hitched and I lifted my chin even higher, not allowing me an inch of wiggle room.
His touch became harder, and a low growl vibrated through his chest. If I moved, I had no doubt he’d snap. My breathing turned shallow.
“Lucian—”
He grabbed my waist, pulling me up. My legs widened, splitting to wrap around his hips. I gasped, but he caught my mouth, cutting me off, shoving his cock against my covered sex with a hard thrust.
The stiffness ground against my clit. I cried out against his lips. His tongue slid against mine, mimicking the harsh grind of his hips. I could only submit to his touch, he didn’t allow another option.
He pulled back the slightest bit, just enough to undo his belt and unzip himself, hips still propping me up against the column. Once he slid his hands up the sides of my thighs, taking the bottom of the dress with it, he cupped my ass. Lucian slid one of his hands into my panties and ripped them off with a quick tug. The fabric pressed against my sex, wrenching out my groan, and a loud tear mingled with my harsh breathing. The ripped undergarments slid down my legs, and he thrust a finger into my channel.
I shouted, goose bumps erupting across my flesh.
